Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program

1 1 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year 2022 Fiscal Year 2023 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Fiscal Year 2022: January 31, 2022 Fiscal Year 2023: December 15, 2022 ANTICIPATED FUNDING: Fiscal Year 2022: $1,920,000 Fiscal Year 2023: $1,920,000 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-FASLP-008741 ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: Not Required 2 INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP) is listed in the Assistance Listings under number Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Task Description Deadline Application: Fiscal Year 2022: 5:00 Eastern, January 31, 2022 Fiscal Year 2023: 5:00 Eastern, December 15, 2022 [Ref to Part I C of this RFA] Letter of Intent: Not Required Applicants Comments: Within six months from the issuance of this notice (NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month) Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.

2 NIFA recognizes research, education, and extension efforts will have the greatest impacts when equity is grounded in the programs. NIFA is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility of programs and encourages individuals, institutions, and organizations from underserved communities to apply to funding opportunities as lead, co-lead, or subaward recipient(s), and to engage as leaders in the peer panel review process to support the development of strong networks and collaborations. NIFA encourages applications that engage diverse communities and have broad impacts through research, education, extension, and integrated activities to address current and future challenges. Stakeholder Input. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seeks comments on all request for applications (RFAs) so it can deliver programs efficiently, effectively, with integrity, and with a focus on customer Service .

3 NIFA considers comments, to the extent possible when developing RFAs and uses comments to help meet the requirements of. Section 103(c)(2), Public Law 105-185, the Section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 7613(c)(2)). Applicants may s ubmit written comments to (email is for comments only). Please use the following subject line: Response to the Food and Agriculture Service Learning RFA. 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NIFA requests applications for the Food and Agriculture Service - Learning Program (FASLP) for fiscal years FY 2022 and FY 2023 to increase knowledge of Agriculture and improve the nutritional health of children. The anticipated amount available to fund grants under this authority is approximately $1,920,000 in FY 2022 and approximately $1,920,000 in FY 2023.

4 Enactment and implementation of appropriations laws may affect the availability or level of funding for this Program . This notice identifies the objectives for FASLP projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT .. 2 PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION .. 6 A. Legislative Authority .. 6 B. Purpose and Priorities .. 6 C. Program Area Description .. 7 PART II. AWARD INFORMATION .. 9 A. Available Funding .. 9 B. Application Restrictions .. 9 C. Project and Grant Types .. 9 D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects .. 9 PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION .. 10 A. Eligibility Requirements .. 10 B. Cost Sharing or Matching .. 10 PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION.

5 11 A. Method of Application .. 11 B. Content and Form of the Application .. 12 C. Funding Restrictions .. 16 A. NIFA s Evaluation Process .. 17 B. Evaluation Criteria .. 18 C. Organizational Management Information .. 19 D. Application Disposition .. 19 PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION .. 20 A. General .. 20 B. Administrative and National Policy 20 PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION .. 21 A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget .. 21 B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards .. 21 C. Regulatory Information .. 21 APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT .. 22 APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS .. 23 APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS .. 24 TABLE OF TABLES Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines .. 2 Table 2: FASLP Key 8 Table 3: Steps to Obtain Application Materials .. 11 5 Table 4: Help and Resources .. 11 Table 5: Key Application Instructions.

6 12 6 PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION A. Legislative Authority The Food and Agriculture Service - Learning Program (FASLP) legislative authority is located in Section 413 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act (AREERA) and codified at 7 7633. B. Purpose and Priorities The purpose of FASLP ( Assistance Listing ) is to increase knowledge of Agriculture and improve the nutritional health of children. The primary goals of FASLP are to: 1. Increase capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities and school cafeterias and in the classroom; 2. Complement and build on the efforts of the farm to school programs implemented under section 18(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act [ (42 1769(g)] 3. Complement efforts by the Department and school food authorities to implement the school lunch programs established under the Richard B.)

7 Russell National School Lunch Act (42 1751 et seq,) and the school breakfast Program established by section 4 of the Child nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 1773); 4. Carry out activities that advance the nutritional health of children and nutrition education in elementary schools and secondary schools (as those terms are defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 7801); and 5. Foster higher levels of community engagement and support the expansion of national Service and volunteer opportunities. FASLP supports projects that bring together stakeholders from the distinct parts of the food system to increase the capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities, such as school cafeterias and classrooms, while fostering higher levels of community engagement between farms and school systems.)

8 The goal of these efforts is to not only increase access to school meals for underserved children, but also to dramatically improve their quality. FASLP is also focused on the development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities are necessary to prepare students for food and agricultural and related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. Specific activities may include: 1. Developing practical applications to increase understanding of leadership roles, including critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills; ethics and professionalism; and working in teams; 2. Connecting the academic classroom experiences with daily leadership roles and organizational activities; 3. Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and 4. Organizing leadership academies, workshops, trainings, etc.

9 Handling of baseline data and data collection will be addressed per approved project evaluation or performance measures/outcomes. 7 FASLP is aligned with the following USDA Strategic Goal: Goal 7: Provide all Americans Access to a Safe, Nutritious, and Secure Food Supply. FASLP outcomes support Objective : Provide Access to Safe and Nutritious Food for Low-Income People While Supporting a Pathway to Self-Sufficiency, and Objective : Support and Encourage Healthy Dietary Choices Through Data-Driven, Flexible, Customer-Focused Approaches. Additional requirements on expected performance goals, indicators and targets are required as a condition of award. C. Program Area Description Food and Agriculture Service Learning Project FASLP projects are intended for eligible applicants to expand existing farm-to-school initiatives and other food and Agriculture experiential Learning initiatives, such as training and technical assistance, evaluation activities, curriculum development, or incorporate farm to school strategies in trainings and professional opportunities along with working closely with agricultural producers in the local and regional areas with primary and secondary schools.

10 Preference will be given to applicants who submit FASLP proposals meeting priorities of 7 7633(c)(2) that: 1. Hold a proven track record in carrying out the purposes described in Part of this RFA; 2. Work in underserved rural and urban communities; 3. Engage children in experiential Learning about Agriculture , gardening, nutrition , cooking, and where food comes from; and 4. Facilitate a connection between elementary schools and secondary schools and agricultural producers in the local and regional area. Proposals may include the following activities, but are not limited to: 1. Expanding farm-to-school programs beyond lunch to bring local or regional food products into the School Breakfast Program ; 2. Operating Service projects ( , AmeriCorps, VISTA, Food Corps, local Service corps programs, etc.)